Parent Workshop

April 26th-27th, 2024 at First Southern Baptist Church

Being a parent is one of the most important jobs you can have, but raising kids is arguably more difficult than ever.

Despite the many outside influences in today’s world, you, as a parent, still have the biggest impact on your children’s lives. But how exactly can we train up future generations in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6)?

The Parent Workshop is designed to help parents feel more confident as we raise children in an ever-changing culture according to God’s unchanging truth.

Registration form can be found under the FAQ’s!

Event Speakers & Worship Leaders

Dr. Corey Schliep

As a marriage and family therapist, Dr. Corey has trained to operate from a systems perspective, which allows him to care for each individual, couple, and family more holistically within their unique context in order to grow. He received his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Washburn University, and then continued his education with Friends University to attain his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, followed by his PhD at Kansas State. He has worked with CFCC since the early 2000s, being the first intern and now serving as the Executive Director while continuing to serve clients. He works to resolve circumstances surrounding the development of the problems themselves, caring for the root issues that lead to the struggles that people experience. To reach that end, he blends theology and clinical theory to provide a sound Christian approach to the difficulties people face in our world today. 

Dr. Vanessa Dudley-Miller, LMSW

Dr. Vanessa Dudley-Miller is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) who earned her doctorate in Therapeutic Science from Kansas University Medical Center. Dr. Vanessa has served with CFCC since 2022, providing care for individuals, couples, families, and groups. She specializes in working with people experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, and life stressors. Dr. Vanessa believes in the importance of guiding a person through healing using their strengths and resilience and practicing self-care by nurturing the mind, body, and soul toward a healthier lifestyle.

Danny Payne

Danny has served in the Church Forward family for over three decades. He has been a student pastor, and lead pastor. He currently serves as Director of Missions for the Flint Hills Association. Danny is married to Beth for 36 years. Danny and Beth are parents to Italia who is about to finish her fifth grade year. They love serving the local church, and strengthening leaders. 

Stevie Warren

Stevie Warren is the Director of Music at Metro East Baptist Church in Wichita, KS. Before serving Metro East, Stevie was the music director at First Baptist Church in El Dorado as well as Pastoral Secretary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Tabor College in Christian Ministry with an emphasis in Worship.

Stevie is married to her husband, Andrew, and they have two kids, Delaney and Will. They love spending time hiking or camping along with many other outdoor pursuits. Stevie is passionate about worship and leading others in it through the avenue of music. She also is an advocate for the Down Syndrome community as her son, Will, has Down syndrome.

Annette Norris, LCSW

Annette Norris is a licensed clinical social worker.  She graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s in History and Education from Washburn University of Topeka.  She spent 12 years as a Medical Social Worker at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and then went into private practice as a therapist.  She joined CFCC in 2013.  She has worked with a wide range of ages and circumstances.  She was trained in the PREP model of couple’s counseling as well as the How We Love Model.  She a wife of 40+ years of marriage and is the parent of 3 children 2 of which are biological and 1 adopted.  It has been her experience that change begins with humility and with God’s intervention, old things pass away and new things begin to blossom.  

Alex Sharp, LMSW

Alex Sharp is a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) who earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Christian Spiritual Formation from Friends University and a Master of Social Work from Washburn University. Alex has served with CFCC since 2022 as a generalist practitioner, meaning he can provide services for many kinds of mental health treatment. However, he is most passionate about working with couples and offering them a heart of compassion and understanding. He has had specialized training in couples counseling and training in increasing capacities of confidence and competence in child-rearing. Alex also enjoys working one-on-one with adult clients who experience anxiety and depression. He loves helping people find answers to questions they ask themselves.

Mandy Carlton, LMSW

 Mandy Carlton is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) who earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Kansas State University and a Master of Social Work from Washburn University. Mandy has served with CFCC since 2020, providing therapy to adult couples and individuals, particularly those struggling with the effects of traumatic experiences. Mandy is passionate about providing hope to her clients that life can be better. 

Karen Manner

Karen & her husband David have been at Western Hills since 2000.  She was an elementary school teacher at USD 437 for 20 years, retiring in 2021.  She's a mom to Jessa, mother-in-law to Cullen, and Gigi to Cohen! She finds great joy in building relationships and pouring into other Kids Volunteers. Her enthusiasm for children is contagious, and she is excited to carry out her life's mission of serving children to serve other kids. 

Scott Strickland, LCMFT

Scott Strickland is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) who earned his Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry from Washburn University and a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Friends University. Scott has served with CFCC since 2017, providing care with family systems and supporting children in adapting to difficulties that they may be experiencing. He believes transformation comes as a result of addressing each individual’s body, mind, heart, and soul, because it opens them up to allowing God to work in and through them.

Kevin Ferstl

Kevin Ferstl serves as the Director of Communication and Worship for Church Forward (Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists). He leads with a heart to encourage, mentoring worship leaders and creative ministry professionals, all things in excellence for the glory of God. A Wichita native, Kevin has led worship across the United States and the world. Previously, he served as the Associate Pastor of Worship at Metro East Baptist Church in Wichita, KS. 

Kevin also serves on the board of directors for Sporting Kaw Valley youth soccer and can often be found providing photography coverage from the sidelines for Sporting Kansas City. His greatest passions are vintage Mini Coopers, old cameras, and adventuring in the mountains with his wife, Josie and their four kids: Norah, Graham, Laurel, and Jack.

 

Breakout Sessions & Descriptions

  • C. Scott Strickland, LCMFT – We see the Bible as the infallible instructions for life, using it to guide relationships throughout our time on Earth. Considering that marriage is the first institution God created, we certainly seek His instruction on how we conduct ourselves within that creation in sharing life with our spouse. However, the first command to the institution is, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth,…” (Genesis 1:28a), so it follows that God also had a plan for us as parents. What has God revealed to us about His plan for parenting, guiding our children in the way that leads to life? Let’s consider that path together as we open the weekend!

  • Dr. Corey Schliep, PhD., LCMFT - This presentation will focus on practical strategies for parents to instill Christian values and principles in their children, helping them grow into compassionate, responsible, and resilient individuals. The presentation emphasizes the importance of modeling behavior, creating a nurturing environment at home, and fostering open communication with children. It also discusses the role of prayer, scripture, and community involvement in shaping children's spiritual development.

  • Alex Sharp, LMSW- For Christian families- bearing children is the same as receiving the “heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3).” Much like us who were once “woven in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139)” now, we actively participate in continuing the Lord’s legacy when we multiply and are therefore gifted with fruits (Genesis 1:8). Yet, how is my child honoring me with its wailing at 2:00 AM for the fifth time (Ephesians 6:1)? Where is the binky? What happened to the diapers? Where did the sun go? What happened to me getting, well, anything? When did my spouse become a zombie? Why do I feel like a zombie? Did my kid just lie to my face? If these thoughts and questions rattle around your mind with unresolved annoyance, fear no more. Come to this class as it will provide you with resources and discussions on how to set up your families to survive and pragmatically thrive while navigating the busy season of ushering in new children to life and the Kingdom of Heaven as it is on Earth (Matthew 6:9).

  • Mandy Carlton, LMSW – As parents, we know we must "train up a child in the way he should go." But the Bible also says, “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” What do we do when it feels our children won't listen until we get harsh? How are we supposed to teach them, protect them, and instill lifelong values in them in a way that actually works? In this interactive discussion, Mandy will introduce you to practical ways to address discipline and correction with your kids (no matter their age). You will walk away with a better understanding of the way your child's brain works (and your own!), an easy to apply formula to guide you, and more confidence about being able to care well for your family.

  • Annette Norris, LCMSW – There are many factors that make a conversation difficult. Misunderstandings, misjudgments, power struggles and poor word choices lead communications down a dark path of hurt and rebellion. We are going to talk about setting the best stage possible for a healthy conversation, having a humble heart of curiosity and collaboration (when possible) and consequences that are reasonable, loving but firm. Regardless of your audience, you can learn successful ways to express yourself and hear the needs of others.

  • C. Scott Strickland, LCMFT – Each of us knows someone affected by divorce and the separation of families. Maybe we have even been affected ourselves. Yet the desire and hope are still there for that family that God designed in the beginning. However, the challenges that face blended families are, in many ways, different than traditional families. If you are on this course or know someone on the path of being in a blended family, let’s look at the steps on that path of being blended that can lead to successful unification and side-step the common disasters. We know there will be struggles, yet struggles “produce endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope” (Romans 5:3b-4). So let the step process be filled with hope as we journey!

  • Dr. Vanessa Dudley-Miller, LMSW – This weekend is not only about how to take care of our children in God’s loving ways but also about taking care of ourselves. Parenting can be a fulfilling life experience; however, it can also be overwhelming and stressful. We tell ourselves “just push through it” with the hope that it will go away. In the Parenting Burnout session we will explore the common signs of parenting burn out, how they impact us and our families, and how to address them in order to live a healthier life and to be a more effective and loving parent.

  • Foster and Adoption Parenting Challenges – Danny Payne

    Parenting Teens – Danny Payne

    Grandparenting and Adult Children – Karen Manner

    Parenting Children – Karen Manner

Event FAQ’s

  • The Parent Workshop was created to equip parents with kids of all ages and in many different family situations to disciple the children in their lives. Our mainstage teachings will give parents God’s vision for the biblical role of family, and how to maintain that in an ever changing culture. However, we will host several breakouts to give practical teaching for various family situations and parenting stages such as: expecting parents, foster parents, blended families, empty-nesters, grandparents, and more! Even if your kids are now adults, we're hosting breakouts that will address this unique season of your parenting life. It's a great opportunity to get equipped to care for your family in every stage.

  • Our facilities are not capable of hosting children for the length of time needed for the workshop and our desire is that parents would be able to attend distraction-free. We are asking that no children above the age of 6 months attend the workshop – including the main sessions or breakout rooms. There will be a nursing mothers’ room available for mothers of infants.

    If you are looking for childcare, we would recommend you start with family or ask your community for trusted names.

  • Friday

    6:00pm Doors Open and Networking

    7:00pm Session #1- The Biblical Model of Parenting

    8:00pm Parenting Roundtables

    10:00pm Dismissal

    Saturday

    7:30am Doors Open

    8:00am Session #2- Raising Amazing Kids

    9:00am Breakout #1

    10:00am Breakout #2

    11:00am Breakout #3

    12:00pm Lunch

    1:00pm Session #3- Q & A Panel

    2:00pm Worship/Send-off

  • No, not at all. All are invited and encouraged to invite friends to this event. We just need a registration because seating is limited.

  • Tickets are FREE and include the conference both days, lunch, and materials. Childcare will be the only expense that you will need to plan for off campus.

  • We know that each child and family is unique, so we’re offering a variety of breakout sessions to address an assortment of family dynamics. Here is a sneak peek of the breakout topics we’re offering:

    Biblical Model of Parenting, Raising Christian Amazing Kids, New and Expecting Parents, Correction with Connection, Grandparenting and Adult Children, Difficult Conversations, Foster and Adoption Parenting Challenges, Parenting Teens, Blended Families, Parenting Burnout and Rest

Register Here!